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Revision and exam preparation
Many students dread exam season. However, there are plenty of revision and stress-management strategies to help you set yourself up for a better outcome. On this page we bring you our top tips and resources to get you in the best mindset to ace your exams.
1. Get organised
1. Know what you're going to be asked to do. Attend any revision lectures or seminars that are available and take careful note of what your lecturers are saying.
2. Inspect past papers. These will indicate the style of question that has been asked in the past (just don't assume that this will remain the same!).
3. Make a realistic revision schedule. Once you've worked out what's expected of you and what you need to do to succeed, it’s time to organise your revision by making a daily schedule.
4. Start revision early. It's good to start as early as possible, so you can use your valuable time productively.
5. Recognise attention spans. We all have a natural attention span after which we tend to switch off and become less productive.
Tips taken from How to Succeed at University by Bob Smale & Julie Fowlie
2. Plan your time, it's limited!
This term-time planner, taken from our bestselling book Essential Study Skills, helps you capture all your key deadlines in one place, so you can stay on top of your assignments and manage your time more effectively. Get yours below.
3. Download the exams checklist
Before you realise it, it's the day before your exam. But don't panic: this checklist helps you plan your revision effectively, focus on what you need to study and feel confident in your knowledge when exam day comes. Our top tip is to download your copy below and start planning your study schedule asap.
4. Read the stress-free guide to exams
Preventing stress is a lot better than treating stress – although it's important to know that stress is also natural and that if used in the right way can be a catalyst for success. This extract from The Stress-free Guide to Studying at University helps you proactively manage stress throughout all of your assignments and exams.
5. Watch this super quick video for exam advice
Lorraine Anderson and Gordon Spark, authors of Pass Your Exam, share their top tips for approaching your exams and studying effectively.